Hoback Junction roundabout construction continues, new bridge work resumes
by Wyoming Department of Transportation
August 3, 2011
Construction has resumed on the foundational work for the new bridge crossing the Snake River near Hoback Junction. Engineers needed to stop work in May when water levels for the Snake River were so high that it prohibited work on the river bank for the bridge. Water levels for the Snake River have been at much higher this year than usual water levels.
Work has been continuing on the building of a new traffic roundabout to replace the intersection at Hoback Junction. The roundabout will improve traffic flow and increase safety at the junction. To learn more about traffic roundabouts visit WYDOT’s website for the Hoback Junction project at: www.hobackbridge.com. The new traffic roundabout is scheduled to be completed and opened to traffic sometime in September.
Other work in the area includes work on U.S. Highway 89 just north of Hoback Junction. There, dirt work on the river side of the highway is in preparation for the building of a new traffic lane. The highway, which hasn’t undergone major improvements in nearly 50 years, will have a new turning lane north of Hoback Junction, to improve safety of the two-lane highway.
Major work is still scheduled for new bridge construction this summer. Bridge arch abutments will be constructed and the new steel structure for the bridge will be put in place this construction season. The concrete deck for the new bridge and finishing touches are expected next summer. Other work, such as a new retaining wall, a key part of the project, will continue into summer of 2012.
The new arch bridge will make the Snake River Bridge the only arch bridge in Wyoming. The project began last summer, and to date, there have been minimal traffic delays. Minor delays to traffic and river users is expected for the majority of the remaining summer. During construction of a large retaining wall on the project, traffic may at times be limited to alternating one-way travel.
Regular media updates will be issued to keep the public informed of project developments. Updated information is available on the project’s website. Through approximately the end of October, WYDOT'S 511 text and email notification systems will provide information on the projects.
An unusually wet spring and early summer slowed construction work, in addition to causing a massive landslide further south in the Snake River Canyon, closing the U.S. Highway 26 and 89 for several weeks in May.
The Snake River Bridge/Hoback Junction project has several phases. This summer, the new bridge is being built, and the "Y" intersection known as Hoback Junction of Highways 26/89 and 189/191 will be converted into a traffic roundabout.
In the summer of 2012, the old, existing bridge will be torn down. In addition, crews will complete a stabilization project during the summer and fall of 2012, with the goal of wrapping up the entire project by the end of October 2012. When the new bridge is complete, the old one will be closed and traffic diverted to the new one.
Other WYDOT work in the area has included repair work to a part of Highway 189/191 north of Hoback Junction that sunk as a result of a slow-moving landslide beneath the roadway.
When river restrictions for river users are necessary, WYDOT personnel will be posted upstream, at points on the Snake River where boaters can easily pull out, to alert people that the river is closed ahead.
The bridge and roundabout projects have additional information, updates, photos of the current bridge and images of the future bridge, and a "tour" of the new bridge on the project website: http://www.hobackbridge.com.
Regular updated information will be issued throughout project construction. Project personnel appreciate the patience of all who will be impacted by the construction.
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